Textile machine



Sept. 6, 1932. F wlLKlNSQN 1,876,376

TEXTILE MACHINE Filed March 17. 1931 Patented Sept. 6, 1932 .irse vs'rzx'rglazs Leraar/'6 PATENT cries wrEKrNsoN, or NEW EEnEoitn, MAssAcnUsETrs,` AssieNoE 'ro FREDERICK o.

WASEEUEN, or NEW BEDFORD, ivressaonusErrs.`

' TEXTILE MACHINE Appucation fue@ March 17, 1931. serial NO saaasa.

This invention pertains to cotton manufacture and more particularly to the Apreparation of unspun textile strands (slubbing, roving, etc.) upon machines known asslubbers,

intermediates, fly-frames, jack frames or Speeders, etc. Theprimary purpose of the above machines is to produce uniformity of fibre constituting the strandprior toy spinning, usually by combining a plurality of slubbings, rovings, etc. from a preliminary machine or machines anddrawing them down to form a new strand or roving of a diameter less than that of any of its individual component strands This drawing operation isV ordinarily accomplished by passing vthe slubbing or roving between spaced sets of drawing rolls; the first or rear set. turning more slowly than the following sets of rolls so that the fiber is subjected to draft and the slubbing or roving becomes longer and more attenuate-d. Usually, the material is subjected to three or more drawings before delivery to the spinning frame and it vis obvious that could'one or more of these intermediate operations be dispensed with, the cost of productionwould be decreased accordingly. Itis also' true that each such manipulation of the fiber, as that of passing it through a drawing frame, results in substantial loss of material through the production of fly, as well as damage to the fiber by breakage, snarling, etc., and that drawing tends to accentuate irregularities in the yarn, so that could thenumber of draw ings be decreased, a better production would f' be secured with less loss of material. On the other hand, the permissive amount of draft which may be introduced in any one drawing operation has heretofore been kept at al relatively low value by limitations ordinarily imposed by the apparatus employed, as is well understood by those skilled in the art.

Heretofore, machines for drafting cotton preliminary to delivery to the spinning frame have almost universally employed three sets of drawing rolls (front, middle, and rear) so arranged that the li ne of draft is straight and snbstanti ally horizontal, the lower rolls of each set being positively driven and the upper rolls being heavily weighted. With such anV arrangement maximum uniformity in production'with a minimum of waste should be obtained when the front and middle rolls are set together as close as possible, but if this distance be less than the length of the longest fibers, then there is a tendency to break such long fibers with vconsequent loss in strength in the strand. Thus the setting of the intermediate or middle' rolls withy reference to the front vv'rolls in such prior apparatus must be determined with'the greatest care, and the adjustment between .thesesets'of rolls must be varied with each change in the length of the cotton staple employed. Such adjustment in the usual drawing frame consumes a great deal of time, and requiresk a highly. skilled operative, and during this time the entire frame must remain idle. In spmmng-frames 1t has been proposed to increase the draft by lusing a light intermediate top roll set close to the front top roll, the light middle roll permitting long fibers to slip without injury,

. but in roving frames the use offa'` light intejrmediate top roll has heretofore proven unsatisfactory for the reason that in the roving frame, as above described the line of draft is horfizontalfthe axes of the several top rolls being disposed in the same horizontalplane) and when it is attempted in such a mechanism to 'use a light. top roll` the latter will jump back or vibrate in its bearings, producing a very uneven roving. Although attempts have been made to overcome the latter defect by setting the intermediate top roll a little nearer to the front rolls than thebottom roll, it has been found that the result is to carry the bite of the intermediate rolls out of the vertical plane, causing the roving to wrap partially around the roll,` and ifthe offsetting of the top roll is suflicient to make the use of weights unnecessary, the'material wraps around the bottom roll and is broken.

In accordance with the present invention, roving machines of usual construction may readily be adapted" to give a draft between the front and rear rolls of more than double th at permissible under present practice, while at the same time producing a roving which is more uniform and stronger than previously and with less production of iiy-and waste, and all this without any necessity of adjusting the intermediate rolls relatively to the front rolls when changing the length of the cotton staple. This high draft makes it possible to produce roving ready for spinning in one or at most two drawings, the uniformity of the yarn spun therefrom being such as to decrease the amount of labor reqi'iired in all of the subsequent textile operations.

The above result is attained in a very simple and inexpensive way, either in the old machines of the type almost universally employed, or in new machines especially designed to embody the present invention, by arranging the sets of drawing rolls so that instead of a horizontal line of draft, the draft line is inclined (although still straight) that is to say, the roll stand is so designed or arranged that the axes of the front rolls are at a lower level than the axes of the corresponding middle rolls, and likewise 'the axes of the latter rolls are lower than those of the rear rolls. At the same time the middle rolls are disposed very close to the front rolls (no provision for adjustment being necessary) and the middle top roll is made light enough to avoid injury to long fiber. As thus designed, the weight of the top middle roll has a component acting substantially parallel to the inclined line of draft which urges the top roll forwardly and thereby prevents it from jumping back or vibrating in its bearings. By this simple expedient all of the advantages above enumerated are obtained, without excessive increase in machine cost and without interference with the free removal of the top rolls from their bearings (which is requisite to practical operation), and without the introduction of supplementary art-s in the near vicinity of the rolls upon which dirt, oil or fly may collect. For the application of the present invention to machines now in use, there is provided an attachment applicable to the usual roll stand whereby the position of the rolls may be so changed as to provide for an inclined line of draft, such attachment preferably including an arrangement for Varying or adjusting the angle of inclination, it being understood that such an attachment may be used in any usual machine whether old or new, or that the equivalent of this attachment may be directly embodied in new machines when desired. f

In the accompanying drawing, in Ywhich certain embodiments of the invention have been illustrated by way of example:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a roll stand such as is employed in roving frames of usual type, but provided with my improved attachment which provides for an inclined line of draft;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the attachment;

Fig. 3 is a section substantially on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2;

Figs. 4 and 5 are diagrams illustrating the position of the line of draft and the forces the attachment useful in connection with roving frames of different maires.

Referring to the drawing and particularly Y to Fig. 1 the numeral 1 designates the base of a roll stand of any usual type, the stand having a substantially horizontal arm or table 2.

rlfhis roll stand, which is assumed to be such as is usually employed in a slubbing or roving frame, supports the forward rolls 3 and 4, theintermediate or middle rolls 5 and 6, and the rear rolls 7 and 8. As shown in Fig. 1, this stand embodies the usual fixed bearing for the bottom front roll, the adjustable supporting member 9 for the bearing of the lower middle roll 6, and the part 10 which is furnished with the bearing for the lower rear roil 3, and which also carries the saddle 11 supportingthe bearings for the top rolls 3, 5, and 7.

Grdinarily in such a machine, the line of draft is horizontal, and the axes of the front middle and rear rolls are in the same horizontal plane, the part 9 resting directly upon the upper surface of the arm or table 2. For retaining the parte in this position, while permitting adjustment thereof, the table is usually furnishedl with an elongate slot 12 through which a bolt passes upwardly into a threaded opening in the part 10.

1n accordance with the present invention the roll stand may be of the usual type above described without any substantial change but to enable machines equipped with such old Stands to operate in the efficient manner contemplated by the invention, 1 provide for each stand, a wedge-like member 13 having a substantially fiat and horizontal lower surface adapted to rest upon the upper surface of the table 2, and an inclined and preferably smoothly finished upper surface 14 adapt-ed to support the part 9 and the elements superposed upon the latter. rThis wedge 13 is preferably provided with an elongate vertical slot 15 and with a horizontal unthreaded bore 16 extending through its lrear wall into this slot. The bore 16 freely accommodates the shank of an adjusting screw or bolt 17 whose inner threaded end engages a screw-threaded opening'in a stud 18, the lower part of which is adapted to fit in a suitable socket provided in the arm 2. The slot 12 is made use of to receive aret'aining bolt 19 whose screw-threadnecessary when practicing the present inven-A `Vtion:sincesvith'therollsaarranged:as inlFig.. 1,

they .are capable 4ofhaindlingstaple -ofxany .or-

izdinary :length .fwithout `:necessitating rany ,-change.- in;` the' distance :between the:front and middle-rolls.

adaptingt-hegold' roll stand? for. the practiceioff the present 'inventions the; parts; 9: and .lO.'y are swrun' :upwandlyiand ithel wedge '1311s 'i introduced, betweenthe: tablefandthe part 9.

'lhe: bolt 129: is*L passeduupi throughfllthe slots :l2

-'and 15 `rand; intozithe openingY in part i 10 and thel` bolt;.-l7f is: insertedfland. adjustedA untilt-he edesirediinclinationl off the; rellf Istand :parts is obtained, ewhereuponrthm bolt 129 r isitighteneid ,yand the parts may remainfin' this position indefinitely. ltzis particularly to be notedthat the applieationdfthis wedge does not; inany way ob'structthe rolls nor interfere with their ready removal from their bearings for cleaning or otherwise, nor does it provide any parts adjacent to the rolls such as might collect lint or dirt.

./s illustrated in Fig. 4, the line of draft D, after introduction of the Wedge, is substantially straight and inclined, being tanacting parallel to the line of draft D and this component F tends to cause the top roll 5 to move forwardly toward the front rolls 8 andl. This top 5 as thus arranged may be made as light as desired and may be set very close to i1, the top front roll 3, permitting the drafting to take place without the formation of excessivefl or fuzz or uneven arn and without tendency to break long fiber, so that a very high draft between the front and rear rolls is g possible, while at the same time the force F which tends to move the roll 5 forwardly, opposes any forces which tend to set up a vibra tien of this light roll in its bearings. Thus uniformity in product with increased output is assured.

Since the roll stands for various makes' of machine differ slightly, it may be desirable to provide the adjusting wedge in slightly different form for such varying uses. Thus in Fig. 6 the wedge 13a, having inclined upper surfaces lila, and resting upon the table 2, is provided with a downwardly directed lug 2l projecting into the slot l2 of the table. The table is furnished with a screw-threaded Ik bore for the reception of an adjusting bolt ssrn-face Mb, rests ,upon the table 2.and is adjustably heldin position on the. table by means -fofia'rpair of Lbo'ltsz, 2li, passingfupthrough the slot :i2: land: into screw-threaded openings y:'i'ifnthebottomf of'tliewedge. In this oase the370 .Wdclge :is ahollow :and is i furnished with an openingi i: its hottom'fwallV for` the, p -of.'the securing bolt?! 19t.

lntF the eve'dge'l'c, having the inclined 'upper'su'rface Ille, rests nponthe ta le'Qa-nd isiii' 5 -fheldnlised thereon by means ofy twobolts 19o p assing :up through air elongate slot iin the table Qyand through suitable openings in the "wedge 'nzthi-s-.caseltliie wedgehas` a down- 1wardlyir directed 'ear 2F; having an op e-iiiiig' for 80 t arr'adj Listing boltzQG engaging'a screw-threadved opening-inthe rear edge vof the table 2.

sInFi'g; 9 lthezivedge 13d, having the inclined upper:surfacel e4d,%rests1upon the tableQ ant :is-scoured' inposition by means ofA a' bolt @i585 :A: seconde bolt'Q? extends up through the up- .per iwall: of the `-wedge lfor 'engagement with onefoflthe upper members lof thelrollL stand.

Infthis:arrangeinent,1the adi ust-ing lscrew 1' 17d passesthrough the rear wall of the wedge and m0 engages a stud carried `by the table Ascribedwithf'referenceto Fig. '1. l

Doubtl'ess other specific 'embodiments of the invention may be 'found desirable or useful in f-connection Lwith roll: stands of other specifici-55 :forIn,--and itis to he? understood that any such :modifications in lthe moans :for holding 1 the :roll-swatthe desired inclinationr'are regarded as .falling fwithin thesoope o'fztherinvention.

-described1is 'verydesirable, since it permits machines already infuse as well asnew niachines Ofusualitypeto be adapted to' operate in accordance fwitlrtheapresent invention, itis ftobe funderstood that it mayralso be asan 3305 ,-integral;partI ofI newf roll-stands aswell.

'fIt should-be understoodthat the present Ydisclosure is for the ypurpose of illustration only-and that this inventionv includes all'modiffifcations and `equivalents which fa-ll within i110 the scopeofthe-appendedclaims.

FIiclaim: .1. .Apparatus of thezclass describedwherein ffront,rear,-andintermediaterolls are used iforfdrafting a'ftextilefstrand, said apparatus *H5 comprisinga-stand'havingf fixed bearings 'for ithe ffrontfbottom roll and a horizontaltable -portionadapt`edfto support movable bearings vfor the `other rolls, and a Wedgememberin .l terposable"between said table portie-n andthe movable bearings for holding the 'latter' in suchw'position"thatthe line o'f draft is'in- 'lined, saidtable portionlhaving an elongate slotftherein, a-wedge member resting'on the .5125

table land having an inclined upper .surface forrsupporting .themovable bearings, :means .for Vadjusting .the -wedge member longitudinally ofthe table wherebyto `vary'the inclinatiomofthe -lineaoffdraf and ymeans forse- "-130 'Vilhile Tthe -sep1arate wedge y'member i above m30 l curing the wedge member and the movable,

for drafting a textile strand, said apparatus comprising a stand having normally fixed bearings for the front bottom roll and a. horizontal table portion adapted to support movable bearings for the other rolls, and a wedge member interposable between said table portion and the movable. bearings for holding the latter in such position that the line of draft is inclined, said wedge member being provided with a part having an unthrea'ded bore forthe reception of an adjusting screw adapted to have screw threaded engagement with a part of the stand whereby to vary the position of the wedge relative to the stand, and a screw for so adjusting the wedge.

3. Means for determining the inclination -of the line of draft in a drawing frame or the `like having a roll stand which supports bearings for sets of drawing rolls, said means comprising a wedge adapted to be interposed between a part of the roll stand and certain at least of the roll bearings, and an adjusting screw adapted to connect the wedge and roll stand and to vary the position of the wedge relative to the stand.

4. Means for determining the inclination of the line of draft in a drawing frame or the like, having a roll stand which supports 'bearings for' sets of drawing rolls, said means comprising a wedge adapted to be interposed between a part of the roll stand and certain at least of the roll bearings, said wedge having an elongate vertical slot therethrough and having a bore extending through its rear wall into said slot, a stud having its upper part disposed in said verticalv slot and having a lower part adapted to set snugly in an opening in the roll stand, said stud having a screw threaded opening, and an adjusting screw passing through the bore in the wedge and engaging the opening in the stud thereby to provide for adjustment of the wedge.

5. Means for determining the inclination of the line of draft in a drawingl frame having a roll stand provided with bearings for sets of drawing rolls, said means comprising a wedge adapted to be interposed between a part of the roll stand and certa-in at least of the roll bearings, said wedge having a projecting lug, and a screw having threaded engagement with an opening in the stand and adapted to engage said lug for adjusting the wedge relatively to the stand.

6. Means for determining the inclination of the line of draft in a drawing frame or the like having a roll stand provided with bearings for sets of rolls, said means comprising a wedge adapted to support certain at least of the roll bearings of such frame, means for adjustably moving said wedge in the direcn tion of its length whereby to vary the inclination of'thefline of draft, and means for retaining the wedge in adjusted position.

7. Means for` determining the inclination ofthe line of draft in a drawing frame or the like, having a roll stand which supports bearings for sets of drawing rolls, said means comprising a wedge adapted to be interposed between'a part of the roll stand and certain lat leastl of the roll bearings, said wedge being hollow and having a screw threaded opening in its bottom wall, and a bolt having threaded engagement with said opening and adapted to pass through an elongate slot in the stand for adjustably securing the wedge in predetermined position.

Signed by me at New Bedford, Massachusetts, this 14th day of March, 1931.

FRED WILKINSON. 

